Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 485: The Only Solution

Chapter 485: Chapter 485: The Only Solution

The Qingshan project has been unable to find a new company to take over, leading to a break in the group’s financial chain. Coupled with severe infighting among the management, under this vicious cycle, the operations of the chain hotels have also been severely affected.

While on a business trip, Cheng Qiaobei stayed at Jade Jiali and discovered that due to issues at the top levels, the frontline staff were exhibiting low morale and negligence in their service, failing to respond promptly to guests’ normal needs. This has also led to a spike in negative reviews on major platforms.

The once formidable group is no more, which is the most heartbreaking for Cheng Qiaobei.

He understands the difficulty of building a brand and knows how hard it is to develop it; Jade Jiali’s journey to where it is now also bears his mark.

Currently, in the industry, there are rumors about the impending fall of a once-mighty hotel empire, and many are just waiting to divide and conquer.

If the hotel is dismantled and sold, it would mark the end of Jade Jiali’s era.

On Monday, it was time for the meeting with Zou Yong that was agreed upon; it was time for him to provide clarity on whether he would invest in the new project.

Cheng Qiaobei was brought to Zou Yong’s office by his secretary, "President Zou, Mr. Cheng is here."

Zou Yong looked up, maintaining a calm expression, and gestured, "Come in and have a seat."

After speaking, he got up and went to the drink station to brew coffee, patiently measuring the coffee beans while speaking with his back to Cheng Qiaobei:

"There is a gathering in Jiaonan in a few days, a small one, why don’t you come along?"

Since it was described as a small gathering, the layers and status of the meeting were subtly indicated.

High-end gatherings come with risks but also opportunities, and how could Cheng Qiaobei refuse such a chance?

"Sure, who are the predecessors attending?"

Zou Yong slowly folded the filter paper, dampened it with hot water, and started grinding the coffee beans.

"Mr. Xiao from Lanfeng Group, President Nan from Tesi Fund, Mr. Li from Xima Jewelry Group, and two others doing energy business overseas, one in medical equipment research and production," Zou Yong said as he poured the coffee powder and began adding water. "They are all good people, and about your age, you should connect with them."

Although they are industry leaders, they don’t offer substantial help to Cheng Qiaobei. Despite feeling no waves inside, he still had to thank Zou Yong for his goodwill.

"Thank you, Mr. Zou, for introducing me to such connections."

"I have been friends with your father for many years, taking care of you is the right thing to do," Zou Yong returned with two cups of coffee, placing one in front of Cheng Qiaobei. He didn’t pursue the matter of the Jiaonan gathering further, indicating his disinterest, but that was unimportant as he continued, "In my eyes, you all are just kids."

Looking at the coffee in his hand, Cheng Qiaobei said, "I didn’t expect Mr. Zou to be so skilled at brewing hand-made coffee."

Zou Yong replied, "I just learned recently, this coffee machine was bought only a month ago."

Cheng Qiaobei raised his eyebrows, "Then I admire Mr. Zou even more."

His politeness expressed not only courtesy and decorum but also a sense of distant detachment.

Zou Yong returned to his seat, and Cheng Qiaobei didn’t beat around the bush anymore, asking:

"President Zou, what do you think about the new project?"

Zou Yong noticed the change in the way he was addressed, indicating that their relationship had switched back to business.

"My decision, I can invest, but there are conditions."

Cheng Qiaobei anticipated this, "Please go ahead, President Zou."

Zou Yong’s condition was simple; the new project would not participate in the form of an investment but as a loan.

The repayment time requirement was also strict, with the principal needing to be repaid before the end of the bet agreement.

As Zou Yong put it, when it comes to investments, preserving the principal comes first.

In other words, Zou Yong is not optimistic about the new project and is even worried that the new project might drag down Eastern First-class, placing considerable pressure on Cheng Qiaobei with both the loan and bet agreement.

Since it is a loan, it would carry interest.

Zou Yong proposed a compromise. He didn’t specify interest rates, but on the agreed repayment date, once Cheng Qiaobei returned the principal, the profits would be shared in percentages of sixty for Zou Yong and forty for Cheng Qiaobei. If the principal wasn’t returned by the date, interest wouldn’t be calculated, but the principal had to be repaid with Eastern First-class’s shares.

In a short time, it’s nearly impossible for a bank to approve such a large loan for a new project, so, currently, Zou Yong’s proposal is the only solution.

Zou Yong: "My conditions have been laid out, do you need two days to consider them?"

Cheng Qiaobei: "..."

Meanwhile, at Jade Jiali.

Cheng Xiangheng’s desk was filled with bank notices demanding repayment, and due to the stagnation of the Qingshan project, several subcontractors and material suppliers were coming to claim debts, with a major debt already progressing into legal proceedings.

The person behind the desk, supporting his forehead with his hand, exuded fatigue from every pore.

The door was knocked on from the outside, finally pulling Cheng Xiangheng’s scattered vision back to reality.

He stared at the door and asked, "Who?"

Lately, there hadn’t been anyone looking for him, "It’s me, Mr. Cheng."

Upon hearing it was Chen Qian, Cheng Xiangheng said, "Come in."

Chen Qian pushed the door open, approached the desk showing a resignation letter, an apologetic expression on his face, and said:

"Mr. Cheng, my parents are urging me to go back and get married. Here’s my resignation letter."

Cheng Xiangheng lifted his eyes filled with worldly experience, took a look at Chen Qian, and scoffed.

If he couldn’t tell whether his words were genuine or not, Cheng Xiangheng would consider his life wasted.

Cheng Xiangheng asked, "Found a new company?"

Embarrassment was visibly apparent on Chen Qian’s face, yet he feigned ignorance, "No, I really need to go back to get married. They’ve introduced me to a local girl, and she seems to be in good conditions."

Not bothering to hear him out, Cheng Xiangheng swiftly signed with a pen, "On your way."

Chen Qian bowed and quickly slunk out.

Once again, silence filled the office like the stillness of death.

Turning to look at the display case with awards Jade Jiali achieved, the glory of the past was vivid, but the more he reminisced, the more he lamented the present’s disgrace and embarrassment. He let out a long sigh, "Ah..."

The phone on the desk rang, seeing it was Zheng Rongxi’s number, he irritably answered.

"What’s up?" Cheng Xiangheng asked.

In a solemn tone, Zheng Rongxi said, "Old Cheng, the company’s current situation is not optimistic, and we both have an idea about the future outcome. Even if you don’t think for me, we must think for our daughter and grandson. Preparing in advance is better than fixing things later, after the fact."

Cheng Xiangheng was upset, not patient to hear her nagging, "Just tell me what you want to do."

After a two-second silence, Zheng Rongxi said, "Divorce."

Cheng Xiangheng: "..."

"I’m not doing this for myself. Once liquidation happens, it will implicate us. If I take some away..." she didn’t clarify, but Cheng Xiangheng understood, "If I can take a little more, it means I can leave a little more for our daughter, you wouldn’t want Siluo to end up unsupported, right?"

After a moment of silence, Cheng Xiangheng said, "Get a good lawyer, notify me once it’s settled."

Zheng Rongxi didn’t expect him to agree so readily, "Uh... okay, I’ll contact one tomorrow."

With a beep, the call was ended by the other party.

Cheng Xiangheng placed the phone down, leaning back against the chair, his face filled with weariness.

Meanwhile, the office door was knocked on once more.

Cheng Xiangheng opened his eyes, their whites full of red veins. He rubbed his face to adjust his state, cleared his throat, and responded:

"Please come in."

As the door swung open, seeing Cheng Qiaobei stride in, Cheng Xiangheng’s face showed great surprise.

With a desk between them, Cheng Qiaobei’s brows were serene, and he asked indifferently:

"Old Cheng, do you admit defeat?"